Babalua Beach Day

Babalua Beach is one of those wonderful little beaches a bit hidden and out of the way.

Babalua Beach is simply a lovely spot for lazing in the water, snorkeling around the rocks or the reef just off shore, pelican watching, and exciting for the kids too. It is on the other side of the Turtle Cove Marina boat channel.

A toes in the sand and clear water day

The water is always crystal clear as you wiggle your toes in the sand and the shallows as the sun creates sparkling prisms on the water.

Dive boat returning from diving Provo’s spectacular reefs.
Snorkeling in the shallows around the rocks
Always fun to see all the colourful fish.
The rocks are home to numerous little crabs.
A pretty blue crab scuttles along the rocks….hard to catch in a photo.
Kids love to explore as they climb onto and around the rocks.
What a spot to photograph our national bird, the Brown Pelican.

Babalua is full of activity. I managed to get up real close to the pelicans and the resulting photos were spectacular. The Caribbean brown pelican, has a wingspan of around 5 to 8 feet and a weight of 6 to 12 pounds. Endless entertainment as they dive bomb into the water and scoop up fish in their large bills, which can hold up to 3 pounds. Their bills are a natural sieve that will drain out all of the excess water.

A swooping pelican comes in for a landing.
Feasting on some small fish.
The rocks create a shallow calm area to enjoy the water.
A treasure found while snorkeling….that’s a sea urchin test.

 

A snorkeler takes a close look at a beautiful King Helmet shell

A snorkeler takes a close look at a beautiful King Helmet shell

 Eve finds and takes a closer look at a spectacular King Helmet shell while snorkeling off Babalua beach a while ago. They have a thick, glossy “shield” on the inside of the aperture on the bottom of the shell. This can be carved into cameos, and so they are sometimes called “cameo shells.

The King Helmet is a species of very large sea snail with a solid heavy shell.

The King Helmet is a species of very large sea snail with a solid heavy shell.

Keep a watch for these striking shells as you snorkel. The waters are brilliantly clear and hopefully you will enjoy seeing a variety including the Queen Conch.

 

And here’s a monster turtle cruising the shallows. It was the biggest one I’ve seen to date.
Providenciales is blessed with the most extraordinary beaches.
We’d love to have you enjoy our “Beautiful by Nature” islands.

Take some time to travel around Providenciales and while away a few hours at our more hidden beaches that are tucked away. Here at our villas…….Harbour Club Villas and Marina, we can give you ideas as to where you might go. We’ve been on Provo for over 20 years and know all the best spots. Hope to see you soon!

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Sandbar at Bonefish Point

A beautiful walk from the little beach by Osprey Rock all the way to Bonefish Point

A high light of any trip out to South West Bluff is the beautiful walk from the beach at Osprey Rock down to Bonefish Point.

Osprey Rock in the distance as we wade through the shallows

A mangrove is salt tolerant and look at the roots.

Miles of beach with only us walking along the shoreline.

Bone fisherman stalking the flats for the elusive bonefish

A Haitien sloop washed up along the shore

Sad to say, we often see these wrecked Haitien sloops carrying probably 100 or more people to what they think will be a better life. Many are caught and repatriated.

Pin cushion sea stars love the sandbar. We found many of them.

That’s an amazing flat but make sure you have your fishing license with you if you plan to fish

Turquoise waters and brilliant white powdery sand

Mr Crabby shows his fighting form.

In search of starfish at the sandbar

A picturesque, dream of a day at Bonefish Point

A perfect afternoon to wade into the water at Bonefish Point

On another rather cloudy day, a storm changed the colours to a soft pastel combination of hues.

These great kids hammed it up for the camera in the shallows of the sandbar.

These great kids hammed it up for the camera in the shallows of the sandbar.

Some local kids were fishing  with one fishing rod and a hand line but I’m not sure that they caught anything other than disturbing a blue crab, a cushion starfish and a conch.

A blue crab wasn't too impressed with facing the camera but he was let go after his modeling debut.

A blue crab wasn’t too impressed with facing the camera but he was let go after his modeling debut.

The boys were having fun finding starfish and a conch while their Dad or uncle continued sitting and fishing.

The boys were having fun finding starfish and a conch.

Life is always interesting around the sandbar and on this day I lucked out, smiling kids, someone fishing, finding a small blue crab, a bright orange cushion starfish, a conch and of course, the muted colours of the ocean at low tide and passing storm clouds. Wow! What a spectacular and lovely day.

Marta

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Haiti and the Citadel

Marta on horse back???? Yep, the last time was also on a trip up to the Citadel in 2003!

Two of us were on horse back, some walked all the way up and we even had someone who ran the route of about seven miles (11 km) from the little town of Milot uphill all the way to the Citadel.  The Citadel is a large mountaintop fortress to the south of the city of Cap-Haitien. I can’t tell you how impressive this named ” World Heritage Site” is and it is a must to see and experience.  The first portion of the hand cut stone work trail up can be done by car but I chose to go the horse route.  From the mid-level parking lot, the second portion must be completed either on horseback or on foot.

Saturday was wash day and all the dwellings had clothes strung out and over bushes drying in the sunshine.

On the way up were small dwellings surrounded by banana and other fruit trees, even coffee beans had been picked off the hillside bushes and lay drying at the side of the trail/road. Since this was a Saturday (our trip was on Sept 24 ) everyone it seemed had done their washing and many had wares to sell to the tourists on their way up to the Citadel.

The first sighting of the fortress perched on a high mountain surrounded by what I thought was fairly lush vegetation.

 

The massive fortress walls as we made out way to the entrance

This fortress was built by King Henri Christophe on top of a  3,000-foot mountain called Bonnet-a-l’Eveque, or the Bishop’s Miter, using between 10,000 some 20,000 workers in the years between 1805 and 1820. Around ten percent of them did not survive and there’s a popular Haitian belief that there is human blood in the Citadel’s mortar. It is Haiti’s most revered national symbol and was built to protect the interior of the country in case the French tried to retake the former colony.  It is a symbol of the will of the Haitien people to fight for their freedom and understanding the Citadel is crucial to understanding Haiti’s turbulent history as the only nation whose birth was the result of a successful slave rebellion.

A bright green lizard caught our attention......and note the orange lichens on the stone walls

View over looking hundreds of cannon balls and the mountaintops beyond.

The Citadel fortress is said to have some 365 cannons and 10,000 rounds and it took up to three months for a single cannon to be moved from the coast and up the mountain to the fortress. On a tour of this awesome stone structure we saw a room filled with more cannon balls in addition to the piled up mounds of cannon balls shown in the photo above.

An impressively decorated cannon faces the stone openings where cannons were positioned to defend the fortress from invaders.

 

Opening in the solid fortification walls showing the mountain greenery below with the mouth of the cannon.

 

View from the top of the Citadel with the inner courtyard to the right.

Water collection for the cisterns

As there was no inner spring or water source, large amounts of rain water were gathered in 8 huge cisterns, to supply the garrison and inhabitants of the fortress for a whole years’ time.

 

The sloping roof of the Poudrière (powder store) on the left

The Poudrière exploded in 1818, killing Prince Noël, the kings son-in-law and Citadel’s commander.

Around the inner court were the crew's quarters, the kitchens and the storerooms, each of these 50 feet deep.

 

It's a long way down..........no barriers or anything so we had to be careful and not go close to any edges.

 

Wow! what a stunning view...we were almost in the clouds on top of the world.

And time to head down the mountain and leave this wonderful place. I took over 850 photos and everywhere I turned there was a picture to take. The people were friendly and yes, the vendors will try to sell you a painting, a necklace, a hat or some other ware. I rode my horse down the winding road making one last stop at the Sans-Souci Palace and a group photo.

The Palace of Sans-Souci was the royal residence of King Henri I (better known as Henri Christophe) of Haiti

What a fabulous day we had here at the Citadel and hopefully there will be another occasion to return. I’m hoping to post a little more of this really all too brief visit that will include some photos of Cap Haitien and the Cormier Plage Hotel.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

 

Blissful Beach of Our Own

Anchored off our own private beach......a blissful weekend with two days of soaking up the sun and this beautiful little beach.

Anchored off our own private beach......a blissful weekend with two days of soaking up the sun and this beautiful little beach.

It’s been very rough these past few days on both sides of the island. We decided to head out and just stop off at little Bay Cay. So two days in a row, both Saturday and Sunday were spent enjoying the warm water out of the wind, picnic lunches and cold drinks……..yes, you guessed it….lots of beer!

The water was calm as the island blocked the strong wind that was blowing.

The water was calm as the island blocked the strong wind that was blowing.

Little Jack's first dip in the ocean...........he took it all in stride! Love his swim suit

Little Jack's first dip in the ocean...........he took it all in stride! Love his swim suit

You can tell that the wind kind of trashed the umbrella!!

You can tell that the wind kind of trashed the umbrella!!

A beach to ourselves........this certainly is an idyllic spot.

A beach to ourselves........this certainly is an idyllic spot.

Malaika had great fun playing under the umbrella as the tide came in.

Malaika had great fun playing under the umbrella as the tide came in.

Little island beach gal running and splashing in the water.

Little island beach gal running and splashing in the water.

A beach of our own........only in the Turks and Caicos you say?

A beach of our own........only in the Turks and Caicos you say?

A fun weekend with family and friends……….great company and a lot of laughs.

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Shopping Turks and Caicos

Victoria is our coffee lady and she roasts coffee beans here on island.

Victoria is our coffee lady and she roasts coffee beans here on island.

While my sisters were visiting we did some shopping for items to take back to Canada and the UK. Our favourite and top of the list for must have is Victoria’s coffee. She roasts the beans here on island and her beautifully packaged coffee blends are available in many shops on Provo. A friend of long standing, the photo on her coffee label is one that I took years ago out at Malcolm Roads. We thought it would look great on her coffee labels and it sure does.

The green coffee beans are slow roasted to perfection for that oh so good cup of freshly brewed coffee.

The green coffee beans are slow roasted to perfection for that oh so good cup of freshly brewed coffee.

 Victoria and TCI Coffee Roasters is the first and only speciality coffee roaster on the island.

Tina introduces Victoria and her coffee to her wedding guests....each received a very special blend as a gift from the bride and groom.

Tina introduces Victoria and her coffee to her wedding guests....each received a very special blend as a gift from the bride and groom.

 Victoria’s coffee is found in many of Provo’s shops including FOTTAC or Flavors of  the Turks and Caicos in the Regent Village on Grace Bay.

Althea Williams shows Eve the wide selection available in her store.

Althea Williams shows Eve the wide selection available in her store.

Fottac carries delicious Bamberra rum cakes which you can taste while shopping……samples are available and Althea’s rum punch is to die for. We could have stayed there all day just sampling all the edible items. Bamberra rum is for sale along with three different flavors of rum cake, mango jam, hot sauces and jerk rubs. Our guests over Christmas and New Year all received a gift basket containing Bamberra rum, mango jam and TCI Coffee Roaster’s coffee.

Althea shows us samples of products she carries in her store called Fottac.

Althea shows us samples of products she carries in her store called Fottac.

My sister Eve told me today that she showed co-workers her photos of our beautiful islands while serving some Bamberra rum cake and coffee. It was a great success especially as it was freezing cold out side in Montreal today.

Here's Eve at Daniel's Cafe on Middle Caicos...... note the bottles of hot sauce and condiments.

Here's Eve at Daniel's Cafe on Middle Caicos...... note the bottles of hot sauce and condiments.

We stopped in at Daniel’s Cafe in Middle Caicos for a late lunch…………amazing fresh fish catch of the day (Parrot fish they told us) with peas and rice. We simply raved over Marilyn’s tamarind hot sauce. I called her up the next day in order to buy some more so that my sisters could take them home.Marilyn made up sealers of delicious Tamarind pepper sauce for us.

Marilyn and a sealer of Tamarind hot pepper sauce that she made and brought into her shop for us.

Marilyn and a sealer of Tamarind hot pepper sauce that she made and brought into her shop for us.

Marilyn was at her store in Ports of Call on Grace Bay…..watch for her home made special sauces . You can buy some items at Gus’s also called Pay Less.

Chalice Ferguson at Mama's Gift's in Ports of Call shopping centre.

Chalice Ferguson at Mama's Gift's in Ports of Call shopping centre.

Last but not least are my good friends Chalice and her sister Mama. They have a wonderful store with souvenirs of all kinds and a friendly very happy type of service to their shoppers. I send all our guests at Harbour Club Villas to Mama’s in Ports of Call . You’ll find all kinds of gifts, T-shirts and souvenirs there.
Well, I know we enjoyed finding all these wonderful items in the stores on Grace Bay… most with an island flair.
Enjoy!!!!
Marta

Middle Caicos Part 2

Looking back towards the hidden little beach from the paved path.

Looking back towards the hidden little beach from the paved path.

We headed to the beach at Mudjin Harbour. What a spectacular stretch of pure white sand beach with big roller breakers coming in. I went straight towards Dragon Cay as the sand was pretty much exposed across to the Cay.

Looking along the beach at Mudjin Harbour towards Dragon Cay.

Looking along the beach at Mudjin Harbour towards Dragon Cay.

The natural sand causeway from the beach to Dragon Cay is exposed at low tide.

The natural sand causeway from the beach to Dragon Cay is exposed at low tide.

A picture perfect setting as we pose for a photo together by the rock pool.

A picture perfect setting as we pose for a photo together by the rock pool.

When a friend of ours was here a few months ago the pool was about nine feet deep with fish swimming in it. Last week the water was only about four feet which means the sand is filling it in. Mother Nature has a way of surprising us as these pools appear and disappear.

I coaxed....."forced" Eve to get into the pool even though the water was quite cold. Better her than me, I say!

I coaxed....."forced" Eve to get into the pool even though the water was quite cold. Better her than me, I say!

 

Beautiful view looking through underneath the overhanging rocks.

Beautiful view looking through underneath the overhanging rocks.

View of the tidal rock pool beside Dragon Cay on Middle.

View of the tidal rock pool beside Dragon Cay on Middle.

We had a lovely day and my sisters were thrilled with their birthday present as they had always wanted to visit another of our beautiful islands. The quiet and tranquil islands of both North and Middle Caicos filled with friendly people will be remembered through these photos.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Sapodilla Bay Afternoon

A picture perfect day on the beach at Sapodilla.

A picture perfect day on the beach at Sapodilla.

We started off by deciding to go out to Leeward Beach. We took a detour going totally in the opposite direction because Anna wanted chicken wings from Sweet T’s for lunch on the beach. I suggested since we were so far from Leeward that we head for Sapodilla Bay. I hadn’t been out there for a good two years and had forgotten how beautiful this beach is.

The tide was going out and the water had formed these ripples in the sand.

The tide was going out and the water had formed these ripples in the sand.

We loved the clear, shallow water and as the tide went out, the water created ridges in the powdery white sand.

Sapodilla sunshine as Anna and Eve enjoy the rippled waters.

Sapodilla sunshine as Anna and Eve enjoy the rippled waters.

A lone sailboat sails into Sapodilla anchorage for the night.

A lone sailboat sails into Sapodilla anchorage for the night.

Put Sapodilla Bay beach on your list of places to see when you head down to the Turks and Caicos Islands. I’ll see you there now that I’ve re-discovered this gem of a beach.

 

 

 

Marta

 

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com

Colours in Blue Hills

A sunburst of colour .......... pink, yellow, orange, turquoise and green adorn these charming beach huts where Sailing Paradise Restaurant is to be found out in Blue Hills.

A sunburst of colour .......... pink, yellow, orange, turquoise and green adorn these charming beach huts where Sailing Paradise Restaurant is to be found out in Blue Hills.

I love wandering through Blue Hills as there is so much there to photograph and usually that fantastic backdrop of the turquoise ocean.
Marta

Natural Bridge

Every few years or so, a natural rock bridge appears out at Malcolm Roads Beach

Every few years or so, a natural rock bridge appears out at Malcolm Roads Beach

I’m sure many of the locals and those that have been here for quite a while have seen the natural bridge that appears and disappears depending on the build up of sand. Years ago this was the site of the Tiki Huts right on the rocks out at Malcolm Roads beach.

I had to dig for this one....I sure miss the days of going out to Malcolm Roads when the Tiki Huts were still there.

I had to dig for this one....I sure miss the days of going out to Malcolm Roads when the Tiki Huts were still there.

This old photo shows the one tiki hut that used to sit right out on the rocks with the bridge exposed and in actual fact there were others right infront of the bridge.

This was probably the first time I saw the natural bridge. We had Ania pose under it for a great shot.

This was probably the first time I saw the natural bridge. We had Ania pose under it for a great shot.

I put this photo in because it was taken from the steps leading up to the Amanyara one day after a storm pretty much took out all the sand.

I put this photo in because it was taken from the steps leading up to the Amanyara one day after a storm pretty much took out all the sand.

The above photo was taken in early October after hurricane Ike struck the islands. It pretty much took out all the sand and the steps leading down onto the beach were just hanging with a good four foot  drop off.

When our nephew Alexis came to help with clean up after the hurricane, I took him out to see this spectacular beach and the bridge.

When our nephew Alexis came to help with clean up after the hurricane, I took him out to see this spectacular beach and the bridge.

Eventually the ocean brings back the sand which accumulates and fills in the little beach found under the rock bridge. Of course visitors wouldn’t know that the sand covers over  the bridge at times.

Here it is all filled in by the sand.

Here it is all filled in by the sand.

No rocks showing just a perfect little sandy cove.

No rocks showing just a perfect little sandy cove.

Those tiki huts bring back such fond memories of “off roading” down that narrow, washed out hill just before getting to Malcolm Roads. The first view of this beach was always awesome in all its’ breathtaking beauty. We’d usually be the only ones there on our ladies day outing complete with cooler jugs of pina coladas and Sweet T’s or Lamont’s chicken!! We’d laze all day out there enjoying the water and of course for me, always such spectacular colours for some great picture taking.
This is a gem of a place! Hope you too may get a chance to see the bridge one day.
Marta

Danny Buoy’s Irish Pub

Mark at Danny Buoy's was kept busy Friday night.....rockin' music with Bows and Arrows, two birthday gals and great fun.

Mark at Danny Buoy's was kept busy Friday night.....rockin' music with Bowen Arrow, two birthday gals and a whole lot of fun.

Barry and I seldom go out but when we heard that David Bowen was entertaining at Danny Buoy’s, we couldn’t pass it up. What an evening of great fun, laughter, good rockin’ music by Bowen Arrow. The music brought the house down, freely flowing drinks and two beautiful birthday gals with friends out celebrating. We had a blast!

Bows and Arrows was the featured band .

Bowen Arrow was the featured band .

 

Indira celebrates her birthday at Danny Buoys

Indira celebrates her birthday at Danny Buoys

Come on out to Danny Buoy’s next Friday night……….lots of drinks and delicious pub food and Bowen Arrow will provide the entertainment!

 

See you there.

 

 

Marta

 

 

http://www.harbourclubvillas.com